BBC Studios’ multi-genre channel BBC UKTV will expand its potential audience by a further 2.7 million from September 1 by joining DStv Compact.
BBC Studios’ will also extend the DStv catch-up window on BBC owned content across channel portfolio from 30 days to 60 days from September.
BBC UKTV launched in December 2022 and has proven to be a channel of choice with subscribers to the DStv Family, Access and EasyView packages, with its audience share increasing by 79% in the second quarter since its debut.
BBC UKTV will now provide around 8 million families in South Africa access to a variety of entertainment, natural history series, soaps, and children’s shows from BBC Studios’ catalogue.
Commenting on the development, Pierre Cloete, commercial director at BBC Studios in Africa, said: “We have a long-standing relationship with Multichoice and are proud of our six incredible BBC channels on the DStv platform. Each channel offers something for everyone with broad genre, trusted quality and international and local talent. I’m so excited to showcase our commitment to going further, broadening the reach of BBC Lifestyle and BBC UKTV and increasing the catch-up window for BBC owned content across our portfolio. This will give even more people in South Africa access to the very best BBC content and I can’t wait for new audiences to find their new favourite shows”.
Arran Tindall, CCO, EVP, EMEA Key Markets, added: “We are proud to extend the reach of our portfolio. Adding BBC Lifestyle to Family and BBC UKTV to Compact enables us to reach wider audiences utilizing the richness of the BBC’s content, providing more DStv subscribers access to award-winning shows”.
Georginah Machiridza, executive head of general entertainment channels at MultiChoice Group, said: “We continue to strengthen our content offering, therefore, we are excited about broadening the content scope for our customers”.
